Gilman Athlete Has New Perspective on Terps

Keith Cavanaugh

06/15/2016

BALTIMORE, Md. -- This local workout warrior attended each of the last two local satellite football camps, both Baltimore's Patterson Park event the Eldridge Troy Fields Park event held June 13 before most of the Terps' staff, including D.J. Durkin.

BALTIMORE, Md. -- This local workout warrior attended each of the last two local satellite football camps, both Baltimore's Patterson Park event the Eldridge Troy Fields Park event held June 13 before most of the Terps' staff, including D.J. Durkin.

And increasing his recruit profile this summer is Gilman (Baltimore, Md) rising junior corner/receiver Brandon Willis' primary goal, as the Gilman program pivots in a slightly new direction under new leadership this year.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder started a few games last year at the Roland Park school, mostly at receiver, and scored two touchdowns. It has been a bit of a whirlwind off-season for the Greyhound athlete, opting to stay at the school rather than transfer out like some of his notable teammates.

"I looked at other schools like DeMatha and St. John's and Good Counsel, but I thought the academics were different at Gilman. And I had a better chance to succeed there," Willis said.

The Howard County native is excited about some of his returning teammates, like quarterback Purnell Hill, last year's backup, as well as Thomas Booker, Anthony DiCerbo, Drew Erlich, Rob Levine and Iyende Watson, among others.

"And you know, a lot of skill position guys [will be back], so that is a good thing," he said.

Maryland, Villanova and Toledo are the three schools most in touch with the 4.5 40-yard dash runner, who said he may camp at UMD this summer. He stood out in speed and agility drills at both camps this month.

"I think the new staff at Maryland has brought in a lot of energy. And then you got Cam [Spence] coming back, Kasim [Hill] coming in, and guys like that," Willis said. "So it is a different energy, and I have a new perspective on Maryland now. Before it was like Maryland was a home school, but now I would really consider it.

"If Maryland was to offer, I would be very excited. That would be a very strong interest to me."

Willis has camps at Villanova, Penn and UConn this month, as well as trips to Ohio State and Syracuse this summer.